Synopsis: It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price… -Goodreads

Review: Back to the world of Vampire Academy! Frostbite is the second book in the series and a pretty fantastic follow up to the debut novel. I didn’t love it quite as much as the first, but the storyline still kept me turning page after page so I am in no mind to complain. Richelle Mead rocks, no question about that.

I won’t make you waste too much time reading me gush about this series as much of what I said in my original post still stands for this book. The main character, Rose stands out in an already packed crowd of kick-ass heroines, the world and mythology behind this series offers an actually interesting take on vampires and the writing is nothing short of fantastic. A must read series for YA book lovers.

So, why four stars instead of five. Part of it is that intangible element that is nearly impossible to put into words, but part of it, for me at least, has to do with the main premise of this book. The entire school is going to vacation at a ski-lodge. The reasoning behind it is even there to an extent but it just seems like something you would see in a tv show about a high school. “In a very special Christmas episode, the students of St. Vladamirs…” you get the point, and I don’t mean to mock it, but it just seemed a little out of place with the darker undertones of this series.

I am so in love with this series, despite the fact that I try to avoid vampire books. Vampire Academy at it’s core is about friendship and loyalty, not something you see in enough YA books. Of course, there is definitely a steamy romance on top of everything else, but to me it’s just the icing on an already delicious cake.

Rating

Second Opinions
@ Tinted Lens
@ Smash Attack Reads
@ SereneHours